Upstairs with Hanne Lene

Hanne Lene in her office above the Roundhouse Great Hall. Photo by Carman Kwan, a member of the Roundhouse Documentation Team.

You’ll find Hanne Lene Dalgleish, Roundhouse Communications Coordinator, peering down from her office perched above the main entrance at the Roundhouse.

“I love that I get to walk over a bridge every day to get to my office, and that the view from my window is of huge, arching beams that are over 125 years old.”

JS: Besides the view, is there anything else you love about working at the Roundhouse?

HLD: There’s a sense of belonging. I love how welcoming and light and solid the Roundhouse feels. It comes from the history of the building and its structure, the people who work here, and the patrons. The front desk staff make everyone feel like they are a part of a family.

JS: Speaking of family, how does the Roundhouse differ from the perception people may have about its urban surroundings?

HLD: Yaletown is such a surprising place. It is very urban, but now that it is an established area, it feels much more like a community of families and neighbours than one might at first imagine. I think its reputation as a yuppie hangout is no longer representative of the current atmosphere.

JS: Can you describe your typical day as the Communications Coordinator?

HLD: My job is actually two jobs rolled into one: design and communications. I spend much of my day updating the website, taking care of social media, writing, designing, and creating most of the Roundhouse’s communications. From the pocket-sized program guides that come out three times a year to the large posters that adorn the entranceways and hallways of the building, I love to get people interested in things. I try to create imagery that is compelling enough to draw the viewer in so they’ll read the content, too.

JS: What do you feel has been your most rewarding contribution to the Roundhouse community?

HLD: I’m most proud of the new website. I was completely in charge of this changeover, and worked very hard with the web designer to make sure the website would help patrons find the answers to the many questions they have about the Roundhouse—from program information and directions to what’s going on now in the arts centre. I feel the website really promotes the Roundhouse as an active and compelling Vancouver facility.

JS: How do you spend your time when you’re not at work?

HLD: I hate being bored. Being boring is boring; I always want to be engaged and interested and always learning and improving. I read lots and lots of books about design, physics, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, art, travel, and history. One day I hope to have the perfect library (with a comfy chair) for all of my books!

I’ve recently started dragon boat racing; in fact, my team won silver in its division at this year’s Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival. I am also learning to knit (very slowly) and I volunteer with the City of Vancouver’s Skilled Immigrant Workshop program, helping new Canadians build their resumes.

Being boring is boring; I always want to be engaged and interested and always learning and improving.

Be sure to join Hanne Lene Dalgleish on December 2nd and 9th at the Roundhouse, where she will lead participants in Danish Christmas Decoration Workshops, which celebrate the traditions of her Danish heritage.

Thank you, Hanne Lene!

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Meet the Roundhouse is a feature blog series published on the first Friday of the month. Jacqueline Steuart interviews staff members so that you can learn a little bit more about the people who help to make the Roundhouse a hive of creative and recreational activity, and the best community centre in Vancouver.

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By Jacqueline Steuart, Roundhouse Blog Team. Jacqueline is a graduate of the Print Futures: Professional Writing program at Douglas College, New Westminster. She is pleased to write about the dynamic and diverse culture of the Roundhouse.